New chapter for Idaho Humane Society

Idaho man's Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge explodes in bedroom

Trees in the Boise River are a hazard to floaters

Cole Road (again) closed south of Fairview

Ada County Highway District officials are asking local residents clear snow and ice from storm drains to prevent flooding. Both ACHD and city crews were out clearing drains Monday. (Video by Katy Moeller) kmoeller@idahostatesman.com

Ada County Highway District officials are asking local residents clear snow and ice from storm drains to prevent flooding. Both ACHD and city crews were out clearing drains Monday. (Video by Katy Moeller) kmoeller@idahostatesman.com

Never miss a local story.

Highway district officials are asking residents to try to clear drains in their neighborhoods. If a drain is buried too deep with snow and ice to shovel out, then you can notify ACHD that you need heavy equipment to get it cleared. Call 387-6100.

Quintana said subdivisions that were built within the past three years may not appear on the map. Residents in those areas should also call ACHD for help in locating storm drains.

“Our crews are working with ACHD to clear storm drains in the Downtown and North End areas,” said Mike Journee, a spokesman for the mayor’s office. “Those areas are the ones that ACHD seem to be most worried about.”

The city drainage system can easily handle the influx of water, Journee said. It’s just a matter of getting the water to the drains. Besides what recent storms have left behind, it’s possible that snowplows have pushed snow on top of gutters and drains while clearing streets, he said.

He noted that city officials do not expect to see widespread, watershed level flooding, though property owners could see some localized flooding.

Blocked drains may not be the only issue in neighborhoods. Snow berms or other piles of snow and ice may prevent water from flowing to the drains, so be sure to check that melting water in your area isn’t impeded.

Journee said there’s been a lot of concern from residents about the snow load on house roofs. He said homes built to current building code should be able to handle up to 25 pounds per square inch. The estimated load from recent storms is about 10 pounds per square inch.